Sunday, June 20, 2010

Honey Oatmeal Bread


This recipe comes from an old family friend, Nancy Clark, in California. I don't remember her well, but she was a good friend of Mom's. I do know however, that this bread is delicious! I have been making it for years, and I love it even more every time I smell it baking in my oven.

I also noticed that we certainly have a sweet tooth (or a few hundred teeth) in this family, and that the last 8 posts have been desserts... so I thought I would really mix things up by throwing a curve ball and giving you a bread recipe! The sweetness in this bread actually comes from the honey, which is a healthier alternative to sugar.

Honey Oatmeal Bread

2 Cups Boiling Water
1/2 Cup Honey
2 TBSP Butter
2 tsp. Salt
1 Cup Oatmeal {quick or regular}
1 TBSP Yeast, or 1 Packet
1/4 Cup Lukewarm Water
4-5 Cups Flour {I do half white, half wheat}

In the bowl of an electric mixer, stir together boiling water, honey, butter, salt,and oats. Let stand 1 hour. About 45 minutes later, dissolve your yeast in 1/4 cup lukewarm water {you can put a drop of honey in to feed the yeast}. When yeast has bubbled and about doubled in size, add to oat mixture and gently stir.

Using dough hook, start adding your flour, one cup at a time. If dough is too sticky, add a little more flour and work in by hand. Pour a little vegetable oil over dough ball and turn to coat. Cover with towel and let rise until double in bulk - about 1 hour.

Shape into 2 loaves and place in greased bread pans. Cover and let rise to about double again. Bake for 40-50 minutes in a 350 degree oven. Tops should be browned and sound hollow when rapped with knuckle. Remove from pans to wire rack. Coat tops with a little butter and sprinkle a few oats on top, or brush with honey. Cool on racks... but also really yummy served warm!

{I love using this bread for toast and spreading a thin layer of peanut butter on it. Delish!}

4 comments:

  1. I usually just look at pics, and that looks good. I'd like a pic of the inside too, just so I know this is really bread.

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  2. We ate it too fast... and gave the 2nd loaf away. Next time I make it I will add a picture for you.

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  3. I wish I had some of this right now!

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  4. I made this today and we LOVE it!! Totally fabulous! I also shaped some into little balls for rolls since I didn't have 2 loaf pans. It worked great. I just cooked them for a little shorter time period. ;)

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